Mark of Fridays: Apple pickin' good time

After playing baseball for Mark's birthday, it was time to pick apples for Lynne's birthday, an annual tradition. This year, the Hanleys headed for Honey Hill Orchard , an old-school orchard in Waterman.
The kids loved it!

Mark of Fridays: Birthday party

Mark wanted a baseball birthday when he turned five. He required that everyone wear the uniform of their favorite player and play in a Whiffle ball game.
Mark, of course, was Jackie Robinson - his favorite player. And wouldn't you know it? He managed to drive in the winning run when he was called in to pinch hit in the bottom of the fourth.
A great time was had by all!

One Year Anne-iversary

Happy first birthday, Sweet Annie!

Mark of Fridays: The Four Year Mark

Today our Mark is 4 years old.  And he really is becoming a big boy.

In many ways he’s like a lot of other kids his age:  he likes playing outside, practicing his writing, and going to school.  He loves Children’s Chapel, where the kids sit with a pastor and sing, and snack time.  He takes swimming lessons, but he can’t really swim yet.  He enjoys being first and “writing” in our toilet (and walls and floor) with his pee.  He likes to play at the park and go on a walk around the block each night, so he can give a hug to each of the trees in our local park.  He has a few boys he calls his friends.

At 4, there is so much he already knows.  He’s able to read simple books by himself, with very little guidance from us.  He can add and subtract, and he’s starting to use multiplication and division.  He knows all the states (and their postal codes), and he can find them on a map.  He knows most of the presidents, in order, and can tell you which ones died or were assassinated before the end of their term.  He knows Grover Cleveland held two terms, non-consecutive.  He can tell you the story of Jackie Robinson, his favorite baseball player. He knows all the bones in the body and an amazing number of animal facts.  He’s memorized all the holidays and the birthdays of everyone we know.  

He’s also starting to move like a kid, rather than a toddler.  He’s still clumsy—we rarely make it through dinner without a spilled drink or splattered yogurt, and he still gets distracted while walking and trips over toys or bumps into walls—but he runs with the fluid motion of a child.  He can use a big boy swing (with someone pushing), climb up all playground equipment unassisted, and ride a big boy bike.  He still can’t catch, but he can hit a baseball.

Our Mark at age 4 is a comfortable, confident kid.  He talks to everyone—grocery store cashiers, waitresses, strangers in the mall.  He orders his own food in every restaurant, and he’s like a celebrity in our bank.  When he comes in, people come out from behind counters and desks to hear him count the money and tell them which president is on each bill.  He also approaches kids on the playground, asks them their name and if they want to play.  He tells the girls at school they look pretty and approaches other boys on the street to tell them that dogs have phalanges just like people.  He does totally weird stuff—like deciding to pantomime the letters with his body in the middle of the floor at the McDonald’s playland—without regard for who might be watching or what they might think.

And he asks questions all the time.  What do polar bears eat, mom?  Why didn’t Gerald Ford get a second turn as president?  Why aren’t there any penguins on the North Pole?  Why did the Saint Louis Browns move to Baltimore, and when will they be back?  Why do the letters look different in cursored (cursive) than in regular writing?  Why is there a tiny country (Lesotho) inside this other country (South Africa), and why doesn’t that happen anywhere else in the world?  How many fives are in thirty?  Which is higher, heaven or space?  Why aren’t there any girl presidents?  It’s wonderful, really… he’s curious, always seeking more information.  But honestly, sometimes it’s also exhausting.

When he’s not asking questions, he’s talking.  Sometimes he’s telling us his plan for the day, step by step, followed by “Okay??” really loud at the end of each sentence.  But a lot of the time he’s just reciting math facts or listing things:  the states, the presidents, letters or numbers in an order that seems random to us but isn’t to him.  And when we’re paying attention to Anne or—heaven forbid—talking to each other, Mark just talks louder.  Or gets closer.  Or repeats himself. Or asks us over and over when it will be his turn to talk.

Sometimes we wish for just a few minutes of silence… for him to go to school, go to bed, or go for a sleepover at Nana’s.  Sometimes we wish he still took a nap.

Sometimes we wish that he were just a little bit older, able to look up information on his own (rather than asking us) or go to a friend’s house and talk to someone else for a little while.

Sometimes we wish he’d grow out of the more bothersome parts about being 4 years old and still adjusting to a new sister.  We’d like to fast-forward through the incredible stalling—especially at bedtime—and the refusal to try new foods.  We’d like to hurry though the terrible fits, when he screams at the top of his lungs in our faces or lashes out to kick or hit.  Or worse, when he gets angry at us in a public place and tries to run away.  We’d like to skip through those nights of holding the doorknob to his room closed while he thrashes and screams inside, those times when we know the rest of the day will full of punishments and talking-tos.  We know we have to bend his will, to teach him to use words and not fists – but doing so isn’t very fun.

And sometimes we’d like to fast-forward through all the competition with his sister, the seemingly endless rounds of questions:  Why is it always her turn?  What happens if she tries to take all my toys away?  What if she ruins my toy?  Why is she screaming?  Why are you holding her?  What will you do if she hits me?  Bites me?  Hurts me?   We try to reassure him, to tell him he’s a good big brother.  We know it’s a huge change for him and that sharing the attention is hard.  But sometimes we wish were through it all—that she were older, more fun, and better able to fend for herself.  We wish he were old enough to understand that she will never take his place, that we have enough love for them both.

Yet every time we express these wishes out loud – our desire to get through early childhood into times that are quieter and easier – we remember that not long from now he’ll be a sulky teenager, plugged into an iPod and unwilling to talk to us.  He’ll have places to go and friends to hang out with, and he’ll be too cool (or, more likely, too awkward and anguished) for mom and dad.

And we remember to cherish our growing boy at 4 years old, who can still – barely – curl up on our laps to hear a story and who cries when we don’t give him enough bedtime kisses.  Our darling boy who can fall asleep at Nana’s house only when he’s clutching our picture, who thinks the ocean is magical, and who starts getting excited about Halloween in July.  Our sweet, special boy who challenges us to be better parents and better people every day, since we are his Good Examples.  Our little boy who tells us we are his #1 and #2 Most Important People, who loves us unconditionally.  And who we love more than words can say.

Quotation Mark Mondays: Animals Facts

Leslie:  I think I know which state I will be for your state party, Mark. (For Mark's brithday, everyone was asked to wear state apparel or represent a state.  It's what all the cool 4 year olds are into.)
Mark:  What?
Leslie:  I'm going to be Alaska!  I'll wear all white and wear my penguin hat.
Mark:  Penguins don't live in Alaska, Aunt Leslie.
Leslie:  What??  They don't?
Mark:  Penguins only live in Antarctica, South Africa, and New Zeland.  And those are not states.

---

Lynne:  Why don't we go upstairs and get dressed?  We can go super fast--like ninjas!
Mark:  Ninjas are not any faster than regular people.
Lynne:  Well, what's fast then?
Mark:  Cheetahs.  But they're only fast for short distances.

Matt of Fridays: Birthday Edition

A big Happy Birthday to Matt, who turned 35 today!  We love you (and your ice cream cake)!

And a big congratulations to Mark, who helped pick out the birthday present last week and managed--in an amazing display of willpower--not to spill the beans!

Mark of Fridays: Birthday boy

He insisted on wearing a birthday hat. Luckily, we had one for the occasion!



For the first time, he ate some of his birthday cake.

Quotation Mark: birthday edition

"I am bigger today but my pajamas still fit!" - Mark, as soon as he woke up this morning

Mark of Fridays: Family fun

Well, aren't those some Manly Hats?

(Click on picture to enlarge.)

Mark of Fridays: Birthday party

And now, after a brief delay, here are the pictures of Mark's first birthday! It was lots of fun!

For the record, Mark did not eat any of his cake. He still has a serious aversion to solid food. And although cake is a marginal solid at best, he wanted almost nothing to do with it.

On the left, you'll notice the face that he made when people tried to force him to eat. The picture on the right is his hand signal for "all done." This kid doesn't even like frosting?

The One-Year Mark

Mark Hanley, at 12 months

The measurements: 22 lbs 13 oz, 28.5 inches long. That's average for kids my age, although my head's still a little larger-than-life. I'm now big enough to wear 12-month pants and 18-month shirts. Good thing baby hats don't come in sizes. Ahem.

Best Friends: Books, Jack, books, fishies (real or in books), and anyone who will hold me through my nap no matter how sweaty I get. Also: books.

Enemies: Diaper changes. I refuse to be held down!
Also: solid foods. Mom and Dad have tried and tried, but I refuse to eat real food. If they give me finger foods, I won't put them into my mouth. If they give me mushy bits of barely solid food (like bananas or watermelon), I fight to keep them out. If they sneak some in, I gag or throw up. I even chuck when they sneak bits of fruit into my baby food. Mom is checking whether they serve purees in the high school cafeteria.

Just found out about: Pretending to hit my head. I ram my head into lots of things, and do you know what I've discovered? Every time, Mom or Dad pick me up and give me a hug. So I decided to "hit my head" more often. Maybe Mom or Dad tells me not to climb up the stairs and I get mad? I'll just cry and pretend I hit my head, so they'll pick me up. Or, maybe, I get caught eating the dog's food? Grab the side of my head. Get in trouble for throwing toys on the floor in a restaurant? Cry and hold my head. Mom and Dad are fooled, every time.

I'm not so sure about: Walking. I can stand for a really long time. I've heard that the next thing I need to master is taking steps. It just seems useless and illogical when I can get around so well by crawling.

Favorite activities: Attacking people while they're sleeping. Mom taught me this trick so I could wake up Daddy on Saturday mornings. Here's how it works: I see a person I love lying still, then I crawl over to them as fast as I can and jump on them, yelling like a wild man all the while. Then they hug me while I yell and yell and yell. The problem is that I now associate hugging with yelling. Oops.

I have a crush on: Birthdays and birthday parties! Did you know that people throw you a party and buy you presents simply for getting older? What a great deal. I think I'll have a birthday every year.

Major accomplishments: So far, I can say: hi, Jack, mama, and dada. I can MOOO like a cow and smack my lips like a fishie. I can sign "all done" and let Mommy or Daddy know when I'm hurt. I can blow kisses, complete with a very dramatic MMMWWWAHHH noise. I can stand on my own. I can ride forward-facing in the car: HOORAY! And I can sort-of help put away my own toys. As long as I haven't just hit my head.

Milestones

Today, Little Mark is one week old.
Today, his mom is 30 years old.

What a wonderful gift to have both of them healthy, happy and home.

That's Lynne on the left - a few hours old - 30 years ago.

That's Mark on the right - a few minutes old - seven days ago.

Happy birthday to a great wife and fantastic mom!

Happy birthday to mom!

We here at Lynne and Matt Blog Inc., Ltd., would like to wish our No. 1, most devoted reader a very, very happy birthday!

Mom - Thanks for always being there for us; thanks for always listening to us; thanks for always being excited for us; thanks for always encouraging us; thanks for telling Matt that he should do summer running before his freshman year of high school. You were right!
There are so many fun things happening and we're glad we get to share them with you!
Love,
Lynne and Matt

p.s. Oh yeah, and thanks for letting Matt wear a cool hat, even when he was little.

Happy birthday Lynne!

Harrumph hrrmph years ago, Lynne Seago was born. Ah, it seems like only yesterday.


And for the first time in her life, she gets to spend her day with her husband, who will be trying his best not to watch the Illini-Mets-Brewers-Phillies-Twins-Sox scores. Total media blockout!

How old is Lynne? Hmmm, tricky situation here. Not sure if she's OK with that being out there...don't think she'd have a problem, but...hmmm. Well, it's the first birthday of Lynne Hanley. How's that for an answer?

Lynne, your smile lights up the lives of everyone who's lucky enough to know you.



Hope you have a fantastic day!

Meet the readers!

By now, you've met most of the wedding players, but Lynne and Matt wanted to be sure to introduce two people who be doing one of the most intimidating jobs at the wedding.

Lynne's Aunt Carol will be doing The First Reading. Carol is Lynne's mom's sister, seen here on the far right. (Lynne is shown practicing her pose for when Matt tells one of his famous jokes.) Aunt Carol has been a really important person in Lynne's life, because even though she lives far away - with her husband, Rick, in Raleigh, North Carolina - she has always made a huge effort to spend time with Lynne and her sisters. She usually visits at least twice a year, with one of those visits falling on either Christmas or Thanksgiving. In fact, the Seago girls often comment that Christmas just doesn't feel like Christmas if Aunt Carol isn't there. Typically, Aunt Carol is known for snapping her fingers a lot, singing the old "Milk for Mom" commercial whenever she looks in the refrigerator, and (one of Lynne's Dad's favorite moments) talking in a tiny voice from the back of her throat. She's also very sweet and super helpful - she even flew in five days early to help Lynne and her mom get ready for The Big Day. Lynne and Matt are very excited to have her participate in the wedding, despite her worries that everyone will see her reading glasses. ;)

The Second Reading will be done by Matt's friend Nathaniel or, as some of you have come to know him, Kramer. Nathaniel and Matt have been great friends since the first week of college. Nathaniel lived in the dorm next to Matt, but it wasn't long before he busted through the door without knocking (hence, the nickname) trying to see if anybody had any sody. Since then, Matt and Nathaniel have created all sorts of mischief, including traveling to the MicronPC.com Bowl, building a haunted house in their basement, dying their hair blond and trying out for the Amazing Race - twice. Plus, Nathaniel - a biomedical engineer - lived with Matt for three years, which should qualify Nathaniel for sainthood, at least. Nathaniel and Matt have kept in close contact since college. Matt was honored to be in Nathaniel's wedding two years ago, when he married the lovely and talented Karrie. They recently moved to Indianapolis. You can be sure whatever zaniness goes on Saturday, Nathaniel will be in the middle of it. It wouldn't be the same if he wasn't.

(And were you aware that today, July 7, is Nathaniel's 30th birthday? It is. Wow, he is an old, old man.)

The Gospel Reading will be done by Rev. Robert Rizzo from St. Hubert's Catholic Church.

Now, of course, you're wondering: what readings did they chose? Well, Lynne and Matt want to keep some surprises for the big day, to make sure you show up at the church.

Did you know that Mr. Hanley will be quizzing everyone when they get to the reception, making sure they were at the ceremony? So pay attention or no soup for you!

Happy birthday to Matt!

When Matt was around 24, he came up with a brilliant plan. He started telling everyone he was a year older than he actually was. Then, when he turned 30 - and everyone was telling him old he was, boo hoo hoo, Matt would suddenly pop out his driver's license.
"Aha!" Matt would exclaim. "I have been tricking you! For I, Matt Hanley, am only 29! Bwwwa-ha-ha-ha!"
And for a while, Matt really had it going. He even mixed up his Mom who, after all, was there when Matt was born. But Matt started to get confused, too, so the plan was scrapped.
Somehow, Matt turns (well, turned) 30 today, for real. Whatever 30 feels like, Matt certainly doesn't feel that way. He feels like a young, spring chicken.
Except on the days when he's sore. And the days when he falls asleep at 8:30. And the days when he can't hear too good. And the days when he forgets to
30? Really?
Matt and Lynne are running a road race this morning, just so Matt can prove he's still a mover and a shaker. Sadly, Matt has to move up to the next age group. That's OK, 25-29 was for wimps, anyhow.

The first 30 years have been great to Matt. Ran a few marathons, hiked a few canyons, went to a few baseball games, wrote a few stories.
But the next 30 will be better!

Happy birthday, Megan!

Well, today (and we do mean today since - as you can see - this was posted on June 3, not later then postdated) is Megan Hanley's birthday.

You previously met Megan as one of Lynne's bridesmaids. But did you also know that she is Matt's sister? It's true.

And did you also know that she is a fantastic teacher in Zion, Ill.? It's also true. So today, which is June 3, Megan turns 27. Somehow, she still has the energy of three 9-year-olds.

.

.

.

Megan, Josh, Matt, Lynne, the Hanleys and Grandma all went to an awesome spy restaurant in Milwaukee, Wis., today, June 3, which is Megan's birthday.

We could tell you more about the restaurant - like that it had secret trap doors, and the front door's hidden in an alley and you have to know a password to get in (all true) - but then we'd have to noogie you.

Happy birthday Megan. Thanks for being a great sister. We love you and we're very proud of you.

Happy Birthday...Mom(inlaw)!

Well, we've got another birthday to celebrate here at LynneandMattblog. (They're fast and furiousier in April.)
Happy birthday to Diane Hanley - Matt's mom and (as she frequently refers to herself as of late) the Future Mother In Law of Lynne.

When Matt was a kid, he would get to school, open up his green, metal Goofy lunchbox to find cauliflower and a little note from his Mom. The note would be a wish for a good day; or just a message to say she loved him. The cauliflower was tossed; the note was treasured.
Then on St. Patrick's Day she would magically turn all the milk green. (She used her powers for good, never evil.)
Seriously, who thinks of stuff like that?
Only the greatest Mom(inlaw) ever, that's who. She never thinks of herself, always of others. While that's far too often underappreciated, it's never unnoticed.

Currently, Mom(inlaw) has been a great help in getting all the wedding planning done. You can be sure she's looking forward to seeing (or meeting everyone. Matt's told her enough stories about all of you. (Let's see if she can figure which ones are true.)

Happy Birthday Mom(inlaw)! We love you very much and can't wait to see you.


p.s. So, how old is Mom(inlaw)? Well, let's see. Last week, Grandma's birthday was somewhere between her 22nd and 29th... which makes Mom(inlaw) somewhere between 3 and 10...which means Matt hasn't been born yet. Hmm. Math never was Matt's strongpoint.

p.p.s. Drop her a Happy Birthday at diane underscore hanley at hotmail dot com!

Happy birthday Grandma!

We here at the Lynne and Matt blog want to wish a very happy birthday to Geraldine Majewski, Matt's grandma and Lynne's future grandmother-in-law.
Lynne and Matt are blessed that Grandma Majewski will be joining them at their wedding.

Lynne and Matt hope everyone says hi to her - she'll be the lady dancing a mean polka. If you're pleasant, maybe she'll even tell you about the time she hit a pig with her new Subaru. Grandma was once Miss New York Central. And she still regularly watches two of her grand kids and hands out plenty of free sewing lessons.

Lynne is known to be riding in the car when she will randomly blurt out: "I really like your grandma." To which Matt can only reply, "Me too."
What's not to like?

This year, Grandma will be...well, let's see. She's got the energy of a 22-year-old, and the dance moves of a 28-year-old. She looks like she might be maybe 29. Still, some of that math isn't working out quite right. She's got to be at least older than her grandson, right?

Happy birthday Grandma! We love you!